Fence for enclosure and demarcation purposes

ABSTRACT

A fence comprises posts and lattice panels which are fixed at their vertical edges to the posts. The post carries, on its front side, hooks, on which the horizontal bars of the lattice panels rest. The lattice panels are clamped between the front side of the post and the rear side of a hollow front profile which have on the rear side, at the locations of the hooks, holes, into which hooks penetrate with a leg directed obliquely outward and upward. The upper hole edges slide downward on the slope formed on the upper side of the legs and at the same time displace the front profile toward the post. The front profile is pressed downward by a holding-down device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fence for enclosure and demarcation purposes,with vertical posts successively placed along a length of the fence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a fence is known from EP 472,760 A1. In the known fence, thelattice panels comprise vertical bars, to which horizontal bars areattached on both sides at the same height. The bars consist ofdirectional round steel wires of a diameter of 4 to 10 mm which areconnected to one another at the intersection points by resistancewelding. However, the invention is not restricted to this design of thelattice panels. Other cross sections can also be used as round material,and the horizontal bars attached in pairs can be replaced by profilematerial which gives increased bending strength in a horizontal plane,for example bars with a rectangular cross section, with a U-shaped crosssection or the like.

In the generic fence, the posts can consist of a rectangular hollowprofile; in this case, the hooks are attached on the front side of thehollow profile. However, the posts can also themselves consist oflattice-work; in this case, the hooks are formed by a forwardlyprojecting extension of horizontal lattice bars of the post. In theknown embodiment, the hooks comprise a horizontal fastened leg and anupwardly angled free leg, of which the distance from the front side ofthe post corresponds to the outer width of two horizontal bars of thelattice panels, said horizontal bars being adjacent to one another atthe same height. The lattice panels are suspended in the hooks by meansof the horizontal bars and are Subsequently fixed by screws, in such away that the double horizontal bars or the lattice panels are preventedfrom being removed from the hooks again. In one embodiment, after thesuspension of the lattice panels the free ends of the hooks are bentover the horizontal bars in order to fix these vertically.

The known type of connection of the lattice panels to the posts,although simple, nevertheless has disadvantages. One disadvantage isthat there is no guarantee that the horizontal bars will be retainedunder tension. They still have some play perpendicular to the fencesurface on the hooks, which means that vibrations occurring under theinfluence of wind lead to unpleasant buzzing noises. The same is truewhen, for example, a ball strikes the lattice panel.

In the embodiment in which fixing is carried out by bending the freelegs of the hooks, the corrosion protection of the lattice panels is putto risk. These are exposed to atmospheric conditions for many years andare carefully protected against corrosion correspondingly, for exampleby galvanizing and a plastic powder coating laid over this. Thesecorrosion protection measures are impaired if the upwardly directed freelegs of the hooks are bent round toward the front side of the post,whether by means of a tool or, as cannot be ruled out in practice, bymeans of a hammer. In this case considerable expansion of the coatingoccurs, and these overtax its expandability and adhesion and cause localcracks and perforations as well as peeling of the coatings. These placesare the starting point for corrosion and can hardly be repairedeffectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object on which the invention is based is to design a generic fencein such a way that fastening is improved and the lattice panels are heldon the posts without noise.

Thus, in the invention, the lattice panel is not simply supportedvertically and fixed against vertical displacement, but, during thevertical displacement of the lattice panels relative to the hooks, as aresult of the slope formed on these a displacement of the lattice panelssimultaneously takes place perpendicularly to their surface towards theposts, so that they are not simply supported vertically, but are alsobraced perpendicularly to their surface. There is therefore no longerany play in this direction, so that noises caused by the wind, theimpact of balls, etc. are avoided. It is important that this improvementis achieved without the use of fastening elements, such as screws or thelike, which have to be fitted individually. This considerably reducesthe outlay for the fence.

The hooks have some elasticity, so that any manufacturing tolerances ofthe lattice panels and also of the hooks can be compensated. Thus, if,for example, a hook is too closely adjacent with its slope to the frontside of the post, during vertical displacement it is pressed away fromthe post somewhat under elastic deformation, so that equalization ofbearing contact over the height of the lattice panel and uniform bracingover the entire height are established.

The expression "slope" is not only intended to refer to the situation inwhich the hooks run in a straight line on the effective side of their"sloping" hook leg; it is also intended to embrace hook legs extendingwith some curvature, in so far as the general direction of run allowsthe above-described function of wedge-like bracing.

The invention can be implemented in two embodiments.

In the first embodiment, an additional front profile is provided, whichitself cooperates with the slopes on the hooks, in that these engage inholes of the front profile, or which carries the hooks so that thesecooperate with the post.

Although the invention is already implemented if the front profileextends only over some of the height of the post, nevertheless, in thepreferred exemplary embodiment, the front profile is provided over theentire height of the post. This design is advantageous especially sincethe lattice panels are simultaneously clamped over their entire heightas a result of the actuation of the holding-down device, with the resultthat any rattling noises caused by relative movements between the postsand the lattice panels are avoided.

The alternative embodiment dispenses with any additional front profile.In this case, the lattice panel itself cooperates with the slope onhooks attached to the post or the hooks are formed on the lattice paneland then engaged directly on the post.

If the bracing of the lattice panel on the post is to be achieved by thesliding down via the slope and the simultaneous displacement verticallyand perpendicularly to the surface of the fence or of the lattice panel,there is the further object of permanently maintaining the bracing onceit has been obtained.

For this purpose, a holding element can be provided, which can at leastalso contribute to achieving the bracing, that is to say to achievingthe vertical displacement of the front profile or of the lattice panel.

Alternative directions of attachment to the hooks can be provided, andand the hooks can be fastened to the front side of the post.

The structuring necessary for this purpose on the posts is negligible.The hooks merely need to be attached to the post profile on the frontside by stud welding. There is no need, for example, to attach weldingnuts or insert nuts and the like, as would be necessary in the case of afastening of the lattice panel by means of screws. In an embodiment withan upwardly pointing free leg of the hook, the lattice panels can besuspended in the hooks in one movement. Then, either a front profile orthe lattice panel itself is displaced vertically as a result of theactuation of the holding-down device, if appropriate with the assistanceof a hammer blow or the like, and at the same time is pressed againstthe post. The fastening of the lattice panels under bracing isconsequently already achieved.

However, the hooks can also be fastened to the rear side of the frontprofile.

In this case, the hooks engage in holes on the front side of the postprofile. The advantage of this embodiment is that the front profile canbe particularly flat, since, when the holding-down device is tightened,the free ends of the hooks now penetrate into the cross section of thepost. The outlay in terms of the material of this embodiment is reduced.

In embodiments in which the front profile or the lattice panel is to bedisplaced downward during bracing, the holding element is designed as aholding-down device which presses the two elements mentioned downwardrelative to the post.

The design of the holding element as a molding, which is produced frommetal or plastic by casting, pressing or injection molding, affordsshaping possibilities which at the same time give the holding element adecorative appearance.

The dimensioning and arrangement of the hooks and associated holesensure that, when a plate-shaped holding-down device rests on the topside of the post, the bracing of the lattice panels is also achievedsimultaneously. A type of stop is thereby formed, the result of which isthat there is no need to pay too great attention to the forces pullingthe holding-down device onto the top of the post.

In order to exert the force which presses down the front profile orlattice panels, at least one vertical screw, which engages on the postand by means of which bracing is carried out, can be provided.

The thread for the screw can, for example, be provided by a nut weldedto the inner wall of a post consisting of a hollow profile.

An embodiment of the post preferred for a whole series of reasons, suchas tensibility, stackability, a good fitting surface for welding on thehooks or the presence of a sufficient inner volume for receiving thefree ends of the hooks, and also on account of the smooth unbrokenappearance, is that of a rectangular hollow profile.

In this case, it is recommended that the front profile also be arectangular profile. This can be a rectangular hollow profile, if thehooks are to penetrate into the interior, or a solid rectangularprofile, that is to say a flat steel bar.

The abovementioned benefits of the rectangular hollow profile are thenalso present in the front profile. Moreover, the two rectangular shapescomplete one another most easily to form a unitary shape which gives asmooth and sturdy impression. However, other cross-sectional shapes,such as, for example, semi-circular hollow profiles, are not ruled out.

In the case of a rectangular profile as a front profile, this simplyneeds to be flat. Even in the design of the hollow profile, it is merelynecessary, of course, to provide sufficient space inside the profile forthe penetration of the hooks. According to claim 21, such a profileshould be placed "flat" in front of the front surface of the post and,as is also true of other cross sections of the front profile, have thesame width as the post.

For a screw engaging the upper end of the post and intended foractuating a holding-down device for the lattice panel or the frontprofile, a holding piece can be provided instead of the nut.

Such a holding piece can be produced in a simple way and is supportedpositively on the upper end of the post in the bore of the latter bymeans of the pin-like extension.

The plate-shaped component forming the holding element can have a hole,through which passes a screw engaging on the upper end of the frontprofile or of the lattice panel.

In this case, the holding element is fastened on the top side of thepost and serves for pulling up the front profile or lattice panel which,for this purpose, can be designed according to claim 25.

In a first embodiment of the invention, only one series of hooks, whichare located vertically one above the other and on which the edges ofadjacent lattice panels rest, is provided on each post or on each frontprofile. In this case, the lattice panels overlap one another in avertical edge region. This comes under consideration particularly whenthe lattice panels have vertical single bars and horizontal double barson both sides of the vertical single bars. In this case, the fronthorizontal bars of one lattice panel and the rear horizontal bars in theadjacent lattice panel can be omitted in a vertical edge region. Ifthese edge regions overlap one another, the total thickness of thelattice structure is no greater, even in the overlap region, than in thefree lattice region, where it is determined essentially by thethree-wire construction. In said embodiment, therefore, the latticeworkhas essentially the same thickness everywhere.

Another embodiment coming under consideration is provided for latticepanels which butt flush against one another at the vertical edges.

In this case, there are two juxtaposed rows of hooks located verticallyone above the other, one lattice panel engaging with its vertical edgeinto the hooks facing it and the other lattice panel engaging with itsvertical edge into the other hooks.

The terrain on which the fence is erected is not always exactlyhorizontal. Also, it is not always desirable for the lower edge of thelattice panels always to be the same height above the ground.

The design using a plate-shaped component having at least one hole forthe passage of a screw engaging the upper end of the front profile orthe lattice panel, makes adaption easier in the situations mentioned. Ifthe fence has to be erected on an incline, the incline can be masteredby arranging successive lattice panels in steps in a manner offset inheight relative to one another. In the case of the reduced spacing ofthe hooks, the steps do not need to correspond exactly to the verticalspacing of the lattice panels. This, of course, also applies to themounting of lattice panels in flat terrain, but at different heights.

As already mentioned, the invention comprises two fundamentalembodiments, namely with and without a front profile.

The latter embodiment can be implemented such that the hooks areattached to the post. The lattice panel is displaced vertically, inparticular is laid onto upwardly pointing hooks and is displaceddownward. This results, by the simplest means, in simultaneous fixing atall the fixing points.

The forming of the free legs of the hooks attached to the post into aneye reduces the risk of injury in the simplest possible way. In thiscase, the free end of the eye can run obliquely and form the slope whichbrings about the bracing.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the slope has some elasticityand tolerances in the design and attachment of the hooks can becompensated. It is therefore possible in this embodiment, without anexcessive amount of force, to ensure that a resilient bracing of thelattice panel against the post occurs at all the fixing points,irrespective of the tolerances.

Particularly in this embodiment, in which the hooks and horizontal barsof the lattice panel therefore cooperate directly, but not solely inthis embodiment, the holding element can be a clamping clip whichengages on the hook and the horizontal bars cooperating with this andwhich pulls the horizontal bars and hooks vertically toward one another.

In exactly the same way as the embodiment with a front profile in whichthe hooks can be attached selectively to the post or to the frontprofile, the embodiment in which the hooks are attached to the latticepanel and engage in a hole in the front wall of a post consisting of ahollow profile, is also of importance.

As already mentioned, the hook legs forming the slope can run in astraight line or also curvedly, as long as, during the relative movementalong the post, pressure against the post occurs simultaneously.

Not only the separate features mentioned in the individual claims, butalso any combinations of these features with one another are essentialto the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are represented in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the fence according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1 with the front profile removed;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective part view of the attachment of the latticepanels to the fence post, with the front profile removed;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the upper end of a fence post, partially insection;

FIG. 5a shows a view according to FIG. 4 from the right, partially insection according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5b shows a view according to FIG. 4 from the right, partially insection, according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the fastening of the holding-downdevice;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a holding-down device designed as a molding,partially in section;

FIG. 8 shows a view according to FIG. 7 from the left;

FIG. 9a shows a view of a further embodiment of the holding-down devicein a lateral mode of representation corresponding to FIG. 4, accordingto a first embodiment of the hooks and of the front profile;

FIG. 9b shows a view of a further embodiment of the holding-down devicein a lateral mode of representation corresponding to FIG. 4, accordingto a second embodiment of the hooks and of the front profile;

FIGS. 10 to 13 show a view from above of various embodiments of a postwith a mounted front profile;

FIG. 14a shows a side view of a further embodiment of a fence post witha holding-down device, according to a first embodiment hook and frontprofile arrangements;

FIG. 14b shows a side view of a further embodiment of a fence post witha holding-down device, according to a second embodiment of hook andfront profile arrangements;

FIG. 15 shows a partial side view of a post consisting of latticematerial; and

FIG. 16 shows a view according to FIG. 15 from the right;

FIG. 17 shows a horizontal section along the line (XVII--XVII) in FIG.15;

FIG. 18 shows a partial side view of a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Of the fence designated as a whole by 100 in FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows twofence posts 10, between which extend rectangular lattice panels 20 whichform the fence surface and which are firmly clamped at their verticaledges to the fence posts 10.

As is evident from FIG. 3, the lattice panels 20 consist of verticallattice bars 1 and of horizontal lattice bars 2 which are arranged inpairs on both sides of these at the same height and which stiffen thelattice panel 20. The lattice bars 1 and 2 are connected to one anotherat the intersection points by resistance welding on a lattice weldingmachine. After the welding operation, the lattice panel 20 undergoes theconventional measures for corrosion protection, such as galvanizingand/or powder coating.

It is evident from FIG. 3 that, in that edge region of the right-handlattice panel 20 adjacent to the post 10, the respectively rearhorizontal bars 2' are somewhat shorter than the front horizontal bars2" which, at the left-hand edge of the right-hand lattice panel, areconnected solely to the last vertical bar 1' located there. Thissituation is reversed in the case of the left-hand lattice panel 20 inFIG. 3. Here, the respectively shortened horizontal bars 2' are those atthe front and the longer horizontal bars 2" are those at the rear whichare connected with their free end solely to a vertical bar 1" locatedthere. The lattice panels 20, 20 overlap one another with their verticaledges in such a way that, according to FIG. 3, the vertical bar 1'belonging to the right-hand lattice panel 20 is located to the left ofthe vertical bar 1" belonging to the left-hand lattice panel 20. Thetotal thickness of the arrangement is exactly the same in the overlapregion as in the free region of the two lattice panels 20 consisting ofthe two horizontal bars 2' and 2" and the vertical bars 1' and 1"located between them.

As can be inferred from FIG. 3, on the plane front surface 10' of thepost 10 formed by a rectangular hollow profile (for example, 40×60×2mm), hooks 3 located one above the other in a row in the middle of eachof the front surfaces 10' are provided, said hooks being butt-welded onto the front surface 10 by means of stud welding. In the detail of FIG.3, that is to say in the lower region of the post 10, the verticalspacing of the hooks 3 corresponds to that of the lattice panels 20,that is to say a hook 3 is provided at a suitable height for each pairof horizontal bars 2, 2. The spacing of the lattice panels 20 can, forexample, be 200 mm vertically and 50 mm horizontally.

In the state reproduced in FIG. 3, the lattice panels 20 are stillmerely laid onto the hooks 3. In this exemplary embodiment, thefastening of the lattice panels 20 to the posts 10 takes place by meansof front profiles 30 which are likewise designed as rectangular hollowprofiles (for example, 20×40×2 mm) and which are arranged with the flatside overlapping in front of the post 10. The front profiles 30 extendover the entire height of the posts 10. The front profiles 30 serve forbracing the lattice panels 20 on the front surface 10' of the posts 10.

For this purpose, the front profiles 30 are provided on the rear sidewith holes 4 which are situated at the locations of the hooks 3. In FIG.2, a front profile 30 is leant loosely against a lattice panel 20. Theholes 4 are located only on the side facing the front surface 10' of thepost 10 in the mounted state, whilst the other three sides of the frontprofile 30 are intact and smooth. Only these smooth sides can be seen bythe observer who otherwise sees no fastening means, as is evident fromFIG. 1.

The function of the front profile 30 is explained in FIG. 4. The hooks 3project from the front surface 10' of the post 10. They consist of a leg3' extending perpendicularly to the front surface 10' and fastened, thatis to say welded on, at the end B, and of a bent free leg 3" whichpoints obliquely upward in the exemplary embodiment and on the top sideof which, facing the front surface 10' of the post 10, a slope 5 isformed. The slope 5 thus approaches the front side 10' of the post 10from the end E of the free leg 3" toward the fastened leg 3'. The holes4 provided in the rear side 30' of the front profile 30 are sufficientlylarge to ensure that, after the lattice panels have been laid onto thehooks 3 or the horizontal legs 3' of these, the legs 3" pointingobliquely upward can be introduced without difficulty into the interiorof the hollow front profile 30. In this case, the upper hole edge 6rests on the slope 5. Under a force pressing the front profile 30downward, the hole edge 6 slides downward via the slope andsimultaneously toward the front surface 10. During the pressing down,therefore, the front profile 30 is simultaneously displaced toward thepost 10, so that the lattice panels 20,20 are firmly clamped with theirmutually adjacent vertical edges between the front surface 10' of thepost 10 and the rear side 30' of the front profile 30. Since the frontprofile 30 preferably extends over the entire length of the post 10, thelattice panel is clamped over its entire height between the post 10 andthe front profile, with the result that rattling noises are avoided.

The slopes 5 of the hooks 3 do not have to run in a straight line, asrepresented in most of the exemplary embodiments and particularly inFIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows an upwardly bent hook leg 3'", the "slope" 5 ofwhich is curved upward. The wedging effect at the hole edge 6 likewiseoccurs here. It is important only that the hole edge 6 locally meets acountersurface in the correct angular position, in order, when the frontprofile 30 is pressed down, simultaneously to generate the pressureagainst the post 10. This relates to situations in which a round hookleg 3'" is intentionally welded on, as well as situations in which, asin FIG. 4, straight hook legs 3'", although desirable, have neverthelessturned out to be somewhat curved on account of manufacturingdifficulties. As long as the general direction is correct, all theseembodiments can be employed. This applies to all the forms ofconstruction of the fence which are shown.

In order to cause the front profile 30 to be pressed down or in order tofix a pressed-down position of the front profile 30, a correspondingholding element is provided in the form of a holding-down device 7 whichconsists of a rectangular sheet metal plate 7", the edges 7" of whichare angled downward. The rectangular sheet metal plate 7' exactly coversthe plan contour of the post 10 and of the front profile 30 attached infront of the latter, the edges 7" both engaging round on the outside inbearing contact. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b,inside the post 10 a nut 8 is welded to its wall forming the frontsurface 10", a screw 9 being screwable into said nut, said screw pullingthe holding-down device 7 down from above against the upper end of thepost 10 and simultaneously pressing the front profile 30 downward. Thedimensioning of the hooks 3 is such that, when bearing contact on theupper end of the post is obtained, the vertical edges of the latticepanels 20,20 are also optimally braced between the front surface 10' ofthe post 10 and the rear side 30' of the front profile 30. In theexemplary embodiment, the slope 5 of the upwardly and outwardly angledleg 3" forms with the horizontal an angle of about 60. The length of theleg 3' of the hook 3 must be dimensioned in such a way that it issomewhat smaller than the thickness of the lattice panels 20,20, so thatthe rear side 30' of the front profile 30 therefore already bears on thefront side of the front horizontal lattice bar 2" before the upper holeedge 6' has reached the height of the top side of the leg 3'perpendicular to the front surface 10'. It must therefore still bepossible for a displacement of the front profile 30 toward the post 10,brought about by the slope, to take place when the first contact of therear side 30' with the horizontal bars 2" has occurred.

It is evident in FIG. 3 that the hooks 3 pass through between the endvertical bars 1', 1" of the lattice panels 20. The two lattice panels 20are thereby fixed against being pulled away from the post 10horizontally. In this case, only one row of hooks 3 located verticallyone above the other is provided in the middle of the front surface 10',as is also represented in the FIG. 5a.

As is evident from the bottom half of FIG. 5b, in an alternativeembodiment two hooks 3 are in each case provided next to one another atthe same height and engage on the vertical edges of lattice panels whichbutt flush against one another and of each of which only a horizontalwire 2'" and an end vertical wire 1" are indicated. It goes withoutsaying that, in such cases, the front profile 30 has in each case twoholes 4 located next to one another on its rear side which cannot beseen in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

FIG. 6 shows a view of the upper end of the post 10 according to FIG. 4,but in this case the screw 9 for the holding-down device 7 does notengage on a nut welded to the post 10, but in the threaded bore of aholding piece 11 consisting of an angled flat iron bar which possesses,at the end located opposite the angling 11', a centrally projectingpin-like extension 31 which engages into a transverse bore 32 of thepost 10. The distance of the upper edge of the transverse bore 32 fromthe upper end of the post 10 and the height of the angling 11' areidentical, so that, when the sheet metal plate 7' rests on the plane endof the post 10, the screw 9 can pass vertically through the holdingpiece 11 in the way evident from FIG. 6, in the threaded bore 33 locatednear that wall of the post 10 which forms the front side 10', and noconstraints occur.

The holding-down device 17 of FIGS. 7 and 8 consists of an aluminumcasting which comprises a plate-shaped part 17' covering the plancontour of the post 10 and of the front profile 30 and downwardlyprojecting edges 17" which engage round the post 10 and the frontprofile 30 on the outside in bearing contact. By virtue of the freedomof design in casting or similar forming methods, the holding-down device17 can be given a decorative appearance and also particular resistancewhich makes it possible, in order to press down the front profile 30, tomake use not only of the screw 9 alone, but also of a hammer blow. Thescrew 9 passes through the plate-shaped part 17' in a bore 12.

FIGS. 9a and 9b represents a further embodiment of a fence according tothe invention, in which the holding-down device 7 consists of aplate-shaped component 33 which is welded to the upper horizontal end30" of the front profile 30. According to the exemplary embodimentrepresented in FIGS. 4 and 5 and described further above, theholding-down device 7 thus formed is pulled down by means of a screw 9which engages into a nut 8 welded on the inside of the front wall of thepost 10. In this exemplary embodiment too, therefore, a downwardlydirected force is exerted on the front profile 30 as a result of thetightening of the screw 9. As represented in FIG. 9a, the hooks 3 canthen be angled upward and be welded to the carrier or, as represented inFIG. 9b, be angled downward and welded to the front profile 40, designedhere as a solid rectangular profile, that is to say as a portion of aflat steel bar. The holes 4 are then fashioned in the post 10.

FIGS. 10 to 13 represent various possible embodiments of the post 10 andof the front profile 30 in horizontal cross section. According to FIGS.10 and 11, the post 10 is once again produced from a rectangular hollowprofile. FIG. 12 shows a post 10" consisting of a solid T-profile, thehook 3 being fastened either to the cross bar of the "T" (as shown inFIG. 12) or else to the web of the "T". A design of the post 10'" as alattice element (FIG. 13) consisting of two pairs of vertical bars 34,34' located opposite one another is also possible, horizontal transversebars 35 firmly connected to the vertical bars being arranged between thepairs. The transverse bars 35 project beyond the vertical bars 34, 34'toward the front side 10' of the post 10'" and are angled vertically, sothat their projecting parts 35' form the hooks 3.

Furthermore, FIGS. 10 to 13 show various embodiments of front profileswhich, in each case, can be used with the various posts 10, 10", 10'"also in combinations other than those shown in the drawing. In FIG. 10,the front profile 30 is formed by a flat rectangular hollow profile 36which has the holes for receiving the hooks in a wall facing the post.This embodiment therefore corresponds to FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIGS. 9a and9b. However, as represented in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is also possible touse as front profile 30 a C-profile 37, 37', the lateral edges 38, 38'of which are bent round forward through at least 180°, so that the freeends E of the hooks 3 do not project beyond the front limiting surfaceof the front profile 37, 37'. Also, as represented in FIG. 13, a tubulardesign 39 of the front profile can be employed.

FIGS. 14a and 14b represents, in the upper part of the illustration, anexemplary embodiment of the fence according to the invention in whichthe hooks 3 are fastened to the front profile 40 designed as a solidportion of a flat steel bar. The holes 4 are fashioned in the posts 10.In this embodiment, there serves as a holding element a plate-shapedcomponent 41 which is welded to the horizontal upper end of the post 10and which, again, covers the plan contour of the post 10 and of thefront profile 40. In the region 41' projecting beyond the front side 10'of the post 10, the plate-shaped component has a bore 42, through whicha screw pushed in from above engages. Welded to the upper end of thefront profile 40 is a molding 43 which projects inward, that is to saytoward the front side 10' of the post 10, and which has a bore for thepassage of the screw 9' which can be screwed into a nut 44 arrangedunderneath. By tightening the screw 9', the front profile 40 can bepulled up relative to the post 10 in such a way that it issimultaneously pressed in the direction of the post 10 as a result ofthe engagement of the slopes 5 of the hooks 3 on the upper edge of theholes 4. In this embodiment, in which an upwardly directed force istherefore exerted on the front profile 30, 40 during the tightening, itis likewise possible, as represented in FIG. 14b, to attach the hooks 3to the posts 10, in which case the hooks are angled downward and engagein the holes 4 arranged in the front profile 30.

As is evident from FIG. 2, the spacing of the hooks 3 does notcorrespond completely to the spacing of the horizontal bars 2 of thelattice panels 20. The lower three hooks 3 and the uppermost hook 3carry horizontal bars 2 in each case. However, the remaining hooks 3 aresituated at other locations, this being intended to allow a mounting ofthe lattice panels 20 at differing heights or a height offset of latticepanels 20 adjoining one another, when the fence is erected on terrainwith an incline. In the exemplary embodiment, the vertical spacing ofthe lattice panels 20 is 200 mm. However, the second hook 3 from the topis at a distance of 250 mm from the uppermost hook 3, and this spacingof 250 mm is also maintained in the case of the two hooks 3 locatedunderneath. For absorbing the weight of the lattice panel 20 and forsuspension during mounting, it is sufficient if a lattice panel restsonly on one hook 3. As a result of the arrangement shown, it ispossible, for example, to suspend the right-hand lattice panel 20, 50 mmlower than the left-hand lattice panel by laying it onto the second hook3 from the top. Laying onto the hook 3 located underneath allowsstepping of 100 or 150 mm.

When the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 8 is being mounted, thelattice panels 20 are laid onto the hooks 3 in the desired way. Thefront profile 30 is then brought into position in front of each post,the hooks 3 penetrating into the bores 4. Then, as a result of thetightening of the screw 9, if appropriate with the assistance of anappropriate hammer blow, the downward vertical displacement of the frontprofile 30 and the bracing of the lattice panel against the frontsurface 10' of the post 10 are brought about. Mounting is alreadyterminated thereby. There is therefore no need to screw in amultiplicity of screws or for similar mounting operations. The finishedfence is distinguished by a smooth and sturdy appearance. No fasteningmeans are visible. The front profile 30 has the same width as the fencepost 10 and visually forms a unit with this.

FIGS. 15 to 17 represent an exemplary embodiment which differs from theprevious exemplary embodiments in two respects: on the one hand, in thiscase, the post 10 does not consist of a rectangular hollow profile, butitself consists of lattice material with vertical bars 51, 51' locatedopposite one another in pairs and with horizontal bars 52 which extendbetween these and which project beyond the front side 10' of the post 10and form the hooks 3 there. The surface of the lattice material of thispost 10 extends perpendicularly to the fence surface. A suitabletermination is provided at the upper end of this post 10. At the lowerend, fixing to a foundation takes place in the usual way.

The forwardly projecting ends of the horizontal bars 52 form the"fastened" legs 3' of the hooks 3. The "free" legs 3' sic! are bent toform an upwardly directed eye 53 which extends essentially parallel tothe fence surface and which reduces the risk of injuries at the hookends. The free end 54 of the bar 52 forming the eye 53 extends downwardand obliquely toward the front side 10' of the post 10. The top side ofthe free end 54 forms the slope 5.

The lattice panel 20 is suspended in the hooks 3. The dimensioning ofthe hook 3 is such that the respectively front horizontal bar 2 of thelattice panel 20 bears on the slope and the opposite rear horizontal bar2 simultaneously butts against the front side 10' of the post 10 beforethe horizontal bars 2,2 rest on the top side of the fastened leg 3'.

The free end 54 of the eye 53 is displaceable outwardly and elastically,so that, when a force directed vertically downward is exerted on thelattice panel 20, the respectively front horizontal bar 2 slides downforward on the slope 5, with the free end 54 being pressed slightlyaway, until bearing contact on the leg 3' is obtained. The lattice panel20 is then clamped resiliently and in a play-free manner with itshorizontal bars 2,2 between the front side 10' of the post 10, saidfront side being formed by the vertical bars 51.

In the exemplary embodiment, this bracing position is fixed by a holdingelement 55, 56 which is attached to at least one of the hooks 3 locatedone above the other and which comprises a U-shaped shackle 55 whichengages under the fastened leg 3' of the hook 3 and has threaded legsand which passes through between the horizontal bars 2,2 resting on theleg 3'. Those ends of the legs which project beyond the horizontal bars2,2 pass through a U-profile 56 resting on the horizontal bars 2,2 andare screwed thereby means of nuts 57 (FIG. 17).

It goes without saying that, in order to hold the lattice panel 20 downin the bracing position reproduced in FIGS. 15 and 16, otherholding-down devices of the type already previously described can alsobe used if appropriate in addition to the holding elements 55, 56, 57.

The embodiment according to FIG. 18 shows a post 10 consisting of arectangular hollow profile and hooks 3 fastened to the lattice panel 20and having free legs directed toward the front side 10' of the post 10and downward. The lattice panels 20 are guided with the hooks 3 throughcorrespondingly positioned and dimensioned holes 4 in the front side 10'of the post 10 and are then pressed downward. The dimensioning andarrangement of the hooks 3 are such that the free legs 3" having theslope 5 sit on the lower edge of the holes before the fastened leg 3'does. In this way, the lattice panel 20 can be displaced some distancedownward under the elastic deformation of the free leg 3", in order toexert on the lattice panel 20 a bracing force directed perpendicularlytoward the front side 10' of the post 10.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence having a plurality of vertical postsextending in a first direction arranged at intervals along a length ofthe fence, and lattice panels mounted to adjacent ones of the verticalposts and comprising a plurality of intersecting bars, the fence furthercomprising:at least one hook attached to and forming a wedge-like clampwith each vertical post, each hook including a fastened section and abent section, the fastened section being attached to the post at a firstend and extending in a second direction, perpendicular to the firstdirection, from the post to a second end, and the bent section having atleast a portion extending in a sloping direction relative to andimmediately adjacent to the second end of the fastened section, thesloping direction being between the first direction and the seconddirection; the lattice panel being mounted to the fence post by slidingalong the bent section of the hook to the fastened section and beingsupported by the fastened section to form the wedge-like clamp; eachlattice panel including a horizontal bar extending in the seconddirection, and when mounting the lattice panel to the fence post, thehorizontal bar sliding along the bent section of one of the hooks;displacement of the lattice panel in the first direction and the seconddirection occurring during sliding of the horizontal bar along the bentsection; the bent section of the hook being formed in a substantiallyclosed eve extending substantially parallel to the post to which thehook is attached; and a free end of the closed eye extending toward thefastened section at a constant angle of slope such that the free end isnon-perpendicular to the fastened section.
 2. The fence as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the hook is attached to a front side of the post. 3.The fence as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook supports twoadjacently mounted lattice panels, and vertical edges of the adjacentlymounted lattice panels overlap in a vicinity of the hook.
 4. The fenceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of intersecting barsincludes a plurality of horizontal bars having a first spacing, and theat least one hook includes a plurality of hooks having a second spacing,and wherein the first spacing is a fraction of the second spacing. 5.The fence as claimed in claim 1, wherein as the horizontal bar of thelattice panel slides in the first direction along the bent section ofthe hook, displacement of the lattice panel toward the vertical postoccurs in the second direction.
 6. The fence according to claim 1,further comprising a clamping clip which engages the hook and thehorizontal bar.
 7. The fence according to claim 1, wherein the slopingdirection is at a constant angle.